Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand Elizabeth Wright-Koteka was delighted to host Pacific Heads of Mission from Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu for a meeting with the director-general of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, Dr Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen and deputy director-general, Matt Hooper.

The FFA is an inter-governmental agency established in 1979 to facilitate regional co-operation and co-ordination on fisheries policies between its member states in order to encourage and promote sustainable management of living marine resources, in particular highly migratory fish stocks, for the benefit of the peoples of the region.

The FFA also acts as an advisory body providing expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make sovereign decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management through agencies such as the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).

Since its establishment, the FFA has worked to strengthen national capacity and regional solidarity so its 17 members can manage, control and develop their tuna fisheries now and in the future.

Having worked for nearly 20 years in the area of fisheries, including 13 years as the FFA legal counsel, the appointment of Dr Tupou-Roosen as DG of the FFA was announced at the conclusion of the 15th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial meeting which was held in the Cook Islands in July last year, and chaired by the Prime Minister and Minister of Marine Resources, Henry Puna.

In her opening remarks, Wright-Koteka commended Dr Tupou-Roosen and Hooper for the important work the FFA undertake on behalf of member countries and further highlighted the value in utilising a wider lens when considering the economic, social, political and environmental aspects of our shared fisheries resource.

Wright-Koteka said: “As the Cook Islands have seen in recent months, there is great

value in working collaboratively across specialist agencies when considering the full gamut of opportunities and challenges in managing our fisheries resources. I am heartened to see a demonstration of this by Dr Tupou-Roosen's engagement with the PIHOM today and I look forward to supporting both the Cook Islands and the region in our fisheries efforts as and when needed.

“When one considers the value of the region’s fisheries resource, estimated in excess of some $3 billion per year, it becomes apparent the need for regional solidarity, cooperation and coordination, in extracting the maximum value of this resource in ways that are sustainable and enduring for generations to come. I extend my most heartfelt congratulations to Dr Tupou-Roosen for her appointment in heading the FFA and the commitment she has expressed to strengthening this solidarity through a collaborative and inclusive approach.”